How to Reinvent a 5,000-Year-Old Product With Par Avion Tea's Alexandra Mysoor
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Legend has it that tea was first created around 3000 BCE when an emperor in China witnessed a leaf flutter into a pot of water his servant was boiling. Since then, it’s become an integral part of the cultural fabric in many Asian countries. India is one of the largest tea producers in the world, and the country consumes most of what it grows. The United Kingdom got tea by way of the storied East India Company in the 1600s. Then there was the Boston Tea Party, the iconic destruction of the natural beverage that helped spur the American Revolutionary War.
This mini history lesson is to emphasize that tea has been around and at the forefront of peoples’ consciousness for a long time. That’s why podcast host and Verishop head of external affairs, Alex Barinka, wanted to talk to the woman behind Par Avion Tea. Alexandra has been able to take something so steeped in tradition and kept the heart of what tea is all about – the ritual and the comfort – and revamped it for today’s world with some delightful new elements and personality.
"I felt there was this huge opportunity to have luxury tea that was really fun," Alexandra said. "And I didn't quite know what that was going to mean yet because I felt kind of nervous about pushing the boundary of tea."
Par Avion Tea's Alexandra Mysoor opened up with Verishop's Alex Barinka about the moment she realized she had to pivot her business to the unique, beloved tea maker it is today:
Alex Barinka: "We been talking for just a few minutes and I can feel you just have like an effervescence about you. And when I do look at the branding, at the naming conventions, when I look at everything about your brand, I feel that too. It's something that's more exciting and emotionally charged.
"So you started out with kind of your run of the mill type of tea's, perhaps not quite as fun and bubbly as the brand is today. What did that evolution look like to get to where you are now?"
Alexandra Mysoor: "Yeah, I knew I wanted to make a mark. And I just couldn't figure out what was going on. From a business standpoint, I was like, okay these are really great teas. I have reorders. These are really good metrics. But how do I sort of kick it up a notch and feel really unique and different?
"And honestly, I think there's like a fear and resistance for founders and makers sometimes to really express what's on the inside."
Alex Barinka: "You have to be vulnerable. I've talked to a lot of founders. I used to cover business and tech when I was at Bloomberg, and I've run the gamut of folks in all different industries. Everyone's really smart and everyone's really astute, but sometimes they're smart in their craft. It's hard to actually reach in and be personal.
"Frankly, moving over to Verishop and doing this podcast, I have to be more personal and that's not what a journalist is supposed to be. So there is a vulnerability in putting yourself out there because if people don't like it, they also don't like a piece of you. So I can see how that's a really scary moment to really channel your personal emotions as a founder into what you're putting out there for the brand."
Alexandra Mysoor: "Exactly. And you know, I wish I could tell you I had this like one Thunderbolt moment of, `That’s it! I’m going to be my best self and I'm going to dig deep!' But it was really kind of a process. And there was a moment where I knew I couldn't keep doing the same thing.
"I was very committed to that idea. The thing is, is I had a lot of really interesting ingredients in my back pocket. Because again, you know, while the business was still really young, I had been studying and researching and not even knowing I was building a business plan all those decades."
Not only did Alexandra get real on this episode about the challenges in growing her business, she also shared the best tips and hacks for when and how to enjoy each and every tea sold on Verishop. Whether it's ways to make sure you're the hostess with the mostest, or the best beverage to wind down after a long day, she'll help you master making tea luxe and fun.
Get a sneak preview of her advice and shop Par Avion's products below. Listen to the whole episode to find some inspo of your own on how to bring tea into your daily life.
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher
Alexandra Mysoor: "I love Fluffy Pandas. When I get stressed I look for cute fluffy panda videos on TikTok. I wanted to create a tea that gave the same feeling. This tea is a beautiful jasmine tea scented with lychee."
Alex Barinka: "My mornings are so sacred to me, and since we brought Par Avion Tea to Verishop, I’ve made Fluffy Panda the next part of my routine. It smells fruity -- like pure happiness -- and still has that familiar green tea flavor that I love. Basically, it's the perfect cup to get me through my morning emails. Bonus: My boyfriend says it's the best tea he's ever had."
Alexandra Mysoor: "The best part of cracking open a Piñata is the surprise effect. When you steep this tea bring the cup near your ear because it SINGS! There is popping candy in it! Surprise!"
Alex Barinka: "This is exactly what I was talking about when I said Alexandra has mastered making luxury tea fun. This is a full-on experience, and a perfect cup to share with friends."
Alexandra Mysoor: "Who doesn't love Birthdays? To me Birthdays are a lifestyle...you should celebrate everyday. This tea has gorgeous candied confetti in it for that little extra something. And the back of the tin has a `To:' and `From:' so it's like a card and tea in one!"
Alex Barinka: "Birthday cards are so passe. Personalized birthday tea is where it's at."
Alexandra Mysoor: "I mean, please... Who doesn't love Pink Prosecco and Glitter? This tea sparkles in your cup! Try adding sparkling water and serving in a Champaign flute to turn this into a fun iced tea!"
Alex Barinka: "For the 21+ crowd, I'm adding this to my hosting rotation iced with elderberry liqueur and sparkling water."
Alexandra Mysoor: "Nothing says I love you more than being taken care of. Preparing a cup of tea says I love you in the deepest way. Also look out for the cute little baby sugar hearts in the tea."
Alex Barinka: "This lovely tea launched exclusive to Verishop for Valentine's Day. How sweet is that??"
Alexandra Mysoor: "This tea has become an icon in the collection. It changes color from blue to pink using lemon. It's a gorgeous green tea base."
Alex Barinka: "The next time I entertain, I'm turning the Unicorn Tears Mythical Tea into ice cubes and then popping them in some lemonade or margaritas (with fresh lime juice). I'm always trying to wow my guests with delish food and drinks, and what a better surprise than a color-changing drink?"
Alexandra Mysoor: "A magical tea for sleep. Sleep is literally the key to my success. I take it very very very seriously. This is the tea my family sips on before bedtime. Not all tea leaves are created equally and ours are literally from farm to cup. That matters when you blend a functional tea."
Alex Barinka: "Sometimes my brain will just not turn off unless I wind myself down. A cup of Nightcap and a warm bath is just the trick."
Alexandra Mysoor: "A cute and easy way to steep our teas. Buy a couple and stash them in your purse, at work or even around the house."
Alex Barinka: "Don't be intimidated by loading up your own tea. It's easy, sustainable and part of the ritual of treating yourself and your guests."